Name:  Maria Estela Lopez
Age:  46        
Gender:  Female
Height:  5’ 2” (157 cm)
Weight:  150 lb (68 kg)
Email address:  Ladymaritel@comcast.net
City, State, Country:  Sacramento, California, U.S.

Date: November 8, 2006

Backpacking Background:  

I have been backpacking since 2003.  I cannot go on longer trips, so I backpack an average of two times a month on weekends.  I backpack in California and have hiked from the Mt. Shasta area to Sequoia National Park, which includes Lassen VNP, Pt. Reyes, Tahoe National Forest, Desolation Wilderness, Yosemite, and in the eastern Sierra.  In the past two years, I have backpacked in all seasons from hot weather to blizzard conditions.  I am neither a fast hiker nor a slow one and I enjoy an average of two to ten-mile trips.

Product Information:

Bibler I-Tent

Manufactured by:  Black Diamond Equipment

Manufacturer URL:  www.bdel.com

Retail price: $539.00 (USD)

Floor dimensions:  82 x 48 x 42 in (208 x 123 x 107 cm)

Height:  42 inches (107 cm)

Doors:  1 

Color:  Yellow

Average weight (tent with poles):  4 lb 5 oz (1.95 kg)

Packaged weight:  4 lb 14 oz (2.22 kg)

Tested tent dimensions:  77 x 43 x 43 in (196 x 109 x 109 cm)

Tested tent height:  43 in (109 cm)

Tested weight includes seam-sealed tent, 6 snow stakes, poles, guyline, and stuff sack:  5 lb 8 oz (2.49 kg)

The Bibler I-tent is a breathable single-wall tent.  The ToddTex fabric is constructed with an ultra light rip stop nylon outer face, a polyester inner face that wicks water out and a polytetraflouroethylene membrane laminated in between (PTFE).  ToddTex is a waterproof breathable fabric and is only found in Bibler tents.  Two aluminum Easton poles fit inside the tent which are held in place with Twistlock pole ties.  The floor material is made of 70-denier nylon taffeta that is laminated with a polyurethane film and the color is black.  There are 2 adjustable weatherproof zippered vents that provide airflow.  The no-see-em mesh is inside the tent door to prevent the build-up of ice.

Field Information: 

I used this tent on several snow backpacking and snow camping trips.  Once in Sequoia National Park during a winter storm, then twice at Lassen Volcanic National Park in windy and sunny conditions.  I also used the I-tent to backpack and snow camp at Desolation Wilderness in 2005.   I set up this tent by Mt. Shasta close to Avalanche Gulch during a white-out/blizzard for a New Years’ Eve celebration in 2005.  My coldest trip was -5 F (-21 C) in Mokelumne Wilderness during a 4-day snowstorm.  There were also the pleasant autumn trips in the eastern sierra and the coast of California.  Elevation ranges from 6,000 to 10,000 feet (2134 m to 3048 m) within those trips mentioned.

The whole set of tent, poles, stakes, manual, seam sealer, and a seam sealer applicator was packed inside the tent’s stuff sack.  After following the manufacturer’s instruction to seam seal the outside of the tent, I was excited to use it right away and joined a snow camping trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park.  I was afraid that the poles might break when I first installed it, but the poles are strong and fit perfectly well to hold the tent upright.  I did not have any trouble in setting up the first time I used the Bibler I- tent, as the weather was excellent and I could take my time.  The second time was on a trip to Sequoia NP during a snowstorm combining wind, hail, snow, thunder, and sunny weather.  With cold hands, I gripped the poles and placed them in each pole sleeve where they lock inside.  The pole ends are not capped and leaves a sharp edge and to come in contact with the pocket or floor material, I was afraid that it would rip the flooring.

I did not have any problems with the zipper and it never collected ice or snow because of the door overlap.  Except for the tapping sound of hail, the tent experiences minimal flapping noise in strong winds when staked well.  The side of the tub floor is the only area I had a little condensation on during some of the trips and never on the tent body itself.  With at least three feet (1 m) of snow overnight, there was no threat of caving in and the poles are very strong.  The weather was pleasant with the other snow backpacking trips in Desolation Wilderness and the eastern Sierra.  Even though a trip to Mount Shasta was cut early because the rangers told us to evacuate the area, I was able to set up the tent faster even under hail and wind in Avalanche Gulch by Bunny Flat.  The only time I had frost inside the I-tent was during a minus 5-degree (-20.55 C) trip in Mokelumne Wilderness.  Frost formed along the poles, zippered vents, and on the Bibler attic on this trip.  I use a small towel to wipe off excess snow melt that gets inside the tent whenever I zip open the door in snowing or raining conditions.  At my height of 5’ 2” (157 cm), I fit in the I-tent perfectly with all my gear and I do not feel claustrophobic because the yellow color makes it bright inside.

Summary:

As a lightweight 4-season tent that proved its sturdiness in different weather conditions, I am very happy with this product.  The feeling of security and stability of this tent makes the price worth the investment and I believe the Bibler I-Tent will provide a safe shelter.

Things I like:

1.      Dependable.

2.      Little or no condensation.

3.      Lightweight for a winter tent.

Things I don’t like:

1.      Installing the poles.

2.      The inside entry gets wet during snow or rain when you open the door zipper.  Vestibule is sold separately.

3.      It is tight for two people.